7061-0028 Social Emotional Learning Grants

For one-time grants to school districts, charter schools and educational collaboratives to adapt, expand or strengthen multi-tiered systems of support to respond to the social emotional and behavioral health needs of students, families and educators; provided, that the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop the criteria for the grants; provided further, that grants may be awarded to school districts, charter schools and educational collaboratives that: (i) integrate equitable, culturally-competent and accessible social emotional learning skills into curriculum; (ii) implement targeted and evidenced-based supports for students at risk of not reaching social and behavioral expectations; (iii) provide professional development for staff members to recognize and respond to mental and behavioral health challenges that may arise during in-person or remote learning; and (iv) solicit feedback from a culturally and regionally diverse cross-section of students, families and caregivers to ensure that social emotional learning efforts reflect the school community's values and priorities; provided further, that preference in awarding grants shall be given to applicants that prioritize racial equity and cultural responsiveness; provided further, that in awarding grants the department may consider the amount of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding received by a district; provided further, that, for districts that the department determines have received substantial federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding, preference in awarding grants may be given to those districts that commit to not less than a 100 per cent match in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds; provided further, that grant awards shall not be contingent upon a match in federal funding for those districts that the department determines have not received substantial federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding; provided further, that the department shall, to the extent feasible, take affirmative steps to ensure the success of grant recipients in strengthening multi-tiered systems of support including, but not limited to, increased outreach and administrative support; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for a pilot program to provide universal mental health screenings for students in kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive; provided further, that grants awarded through the program may be used to support costs related to implementation of screening protocols, professional development and technical assistance; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2026, participants in the pilot program shall submit a report to the department of elementary and secondary education including, but not limited to, the: (a) number of students who received mental health screenings, delineated by demographic group and grade level; (b) number of students requiring additional support or follow-up screenings; (c) length of time between the initial screening and subsequent support services provided; (d) number of students referred for additional support services outside of the school district; and (e) types of screening tools used; and provided further, that not later than September 2, 2025, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on education, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include: (1) a description of the participants in the pilot program; (2) a summary of the data collected from program participants; and (3) any recommendations to further expand the availability of mental health screenings for students